It’s been two years since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. Afghanistan is enjoying peace not seen in decades but the UN says there have been dozens of attacks on civilians, some claimed by Islamic State rivals of the Taliban.
Afghanistan’s Taliban marked the second anniversary of their return to power on Tuesday, celebrating their takeover of Kabul and the establishment of what they said was security throughout the country under an Islamic system.
After a lightning offensive as US-led foreign forces were withdrawing after 20 years of inconclusive war, the Taliban entered the capital on Aug. 15, 2021, as the Afghan security forces, set up with years of Western support, disintegrated and US-backed President Ashraf Ghani fled.
“On the second anniversary of the conquest of Kabul, we would like to congratulate the mujahid (holy warrior) nation of Afghanistan and ask them to thank Almighty Allah for this great victory,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.
Afghanistan is enjoying peace not seen in decades but the UN says there have been dozens of attacks on civilians, some claimed by Islamic State rivals of the Taliban.
For many women, who enjoyed extensive rights and freedoms during the two decades of rule by Western-backed governments, their plight has become dire since the return of the Taliban.
“It’s been two years since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. Two years that upturned the lives of Afghan women and girls, their rights and futures,” Amina Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the UN, said in a statement.
“Today I’ve come here to see the commemoration of the second anniversary of the Taliban. It was the day that the enemy of Afghanistan was expelled from our country, that’s why I came here to celebrate,” said resident Sayed Hashmatullah Sadat.
Several departments, including the education ministry, also held gatherings to celebrate.
“Now that overall security is ensured in the country, the entire territory of the country is managed under a single leadership, an Islamic system is in place and everything is explained from the angle of sharia,” Mujahid, the spokesman, said.
In a Kabul tailoring workshop, 27-year-old Maryam, who set up the business after losing a job first in an international project, and then as a teacher, said she dreaded the anniversary.
“The day … reminds me of two years ago and I have the same feeling I had two years ago, which was a really terrible feeling,” she said.